Cassie is a mixed martial artist with over five years of study. Training primarily in South Korea, she has black belts in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Muay Thai kickboxing. A proud Canadian from Roberts Arm, Newfoundland, she files for The Crossfire having recently returned from South Korea. She also blogs for Postmedia Networks’ Womens Fight Club website.. Image courtesy Steve Bartlett

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – APRIL 05: (L-R) Opponents Akira Corassani and Robbie Peralta face off during the UFC weigh-in at the Ericsson Globe Arena on April 5, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Wiseman: There is no doubting the determination of Corassani which was shown during his time on The Ultimate Fighter, but Peralta is a finisher with incredible power. Not only does Peralta have the experience advantage, but he also has the tools needed to finish this fight. Corassani likes to stand, but Peralta isn’t the fighter that he should stand with as he doesn’t have the power nor superior technique to win.

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – APRIL 05: (L-R) Opponents Diego Brandao and Pablo Garza face off during the UFC weigh-in at the Ericsson Globe Arena on April 5, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Wiseman: Brando has the experience advantage and basically everywhere else as well. Garza is known for his ground game, but Brando has shown in his time on The Ultimate Fighter that he is very versatile, powerful and able to transition on the mat.

Wiseman: Pickett has the speed, power and technical advantage needed to put an end this match. Easton has speed and has a strong standup and ground game, but Pickett is a finisher who will give Easton a challenge anywhere the fight goes.

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN – APRIL 05: (L-R) Opponents Matt Mitrione and Phil De Fries face off during the UFC weigh-in at the Ericsson Globe Arena on April 5, 2013 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Wiseman: Everyone knows that Mitrione is going to want to stand and go for a knockout. While his cardio hasn’t always been an issue, there have been moments when his opponents have been able to tire him out. De Fries with a strong ground game will want things to the mat to avoid the power of Mitrione and go for the submission.

Wiseman: The clear experience advantage goes to Pearson, as does the advantage in the standup. However, Couture has a ground game that should never been taken lightly. Couture is going to want to take this fight to the mat when he can clamp on a submission. Pearson’s best advantage is in his aggressive standup. With all that said, Pearson will be able to defend ground attempts and put on a standup kickboxing show.

Wiseman: There are a few things to consider when thinking about this fight. First, Latifi took this fight on short notice and had to drop 26 pounds in 3 days. This could put to question how well his cardio will be against a fighter who completed a full training camp. Second, Mousasi prepared for a striker with long limbs, but now will fight a short, solid wrestler. With both things into consideration, Latifi needs to get things to the ground and try to use Mousasi’s ground game weakness to pound out an early win or grind out a win. If Mousasi could keep things from the mat would have an easy win. Even if things go to the mat the fact that he completed a full training camp should give him the cardio edge. Another thing to consider is that regardless of Mousasi’s takedown defence, he prepared for a fighter who likes to stay out of the pocket and use his reach to do damage. Mousasi, therefore, may have been training how to do damage in a like manner. If he could keep his distance, he should be able to wear down a dehydrated Latifi for the win.

]]>http://o.canada.com/sports/mma-crossfire-ufc-on-fuel-9-mousasi-vs-latifi-predictions/feed8UFConFUELTV9_WeighIns_073mmacrossfireMMA Crossfire - The hard-hitting blog that features expert commentary.Cassie is a mixed martial artist with over five years of study. Training primarily in South Korea, she has black belts in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Muay Thai kickboxing. A proud Canadian from Roberts Arm, Newfoundland, she files for The Crossfire having recently returned from South Korea. She also blogs for Postmedia Networks’ Womens Fight Club website.. Image courtesy Steve BartlettUFC on FUEL 9UFC on FUEL 9UFC on FUEL 9UFC on FUEL 9UFC on FUEL 9UFC on FUEL 9UFC on FUEL 9Hominick reflects on retirement from UFChttp://o.canada.com/sports/hominick-reflects-on-retirement-from-ufc
http://o.canada.com/sports/hominick-reflects-on-retirement-from-ufc#commentsWed, 12 Dec 2012 23:58:54 +0000http://postmediacanadadotcom.wordpress.com/?p=167435]]>By Dave Deibert

Mark Hominick, a self-proclaimed “15-year overnight sensation,” has competed in Ultimate Fighting Championship’s octagon for the last time.

Hominick, one of the most popular Canadians stars in UFC history, announced Tuesday he is retiring after 32 professional fights, seven of which came in UFC. A married father of one daughter, with a second girl on the way next month, he leaves the game with a record of 20-12 and a reputation as one of the true good guys in the sport.

Since making the announcement during an appearance on FUEL TV’s UFC Tonight, Hominick has been flooded with emails, texts, tweets and phone calls. The response was overwhelming, he said in an interview Wednesday.

“It’s nice to see you had that much (of a) following and, I guess, that much of an impact with a career,” said Hominick, a 30-year-old native of Thamesford, Ont.

Hominick, who competed as a lightweight and featherweight, was a multi-time champion in the Quebec-based UCC and TKO promotions early in his career. After making his major league debut at UFC 58 in 2006, he spent most of the next five years under the banner of World Extreme Cagefighting before being introduced to a new generation of fans with his return to UFC in 2011. An 88-second knockout of George Roop promptly vaulted him into the co-main event of the promotion’s grandest venture ever: UFC 129, which drew a record-setting 55,724 fans to Rogers Centre in Toronto.

“It was the culmination of the last 15 years to get to that point,” said Hominick, who challenged featherweight champion Jose Aldo at UFC 129.

The pre-fight promotion focused on Hominick both in and out of the cage. Fans loved what they saw: the hometown underdog fighting for a championship on the biggest stage in UFC history.

“Before the fight, people who didn’t even know me all of a sudden not only get introduced to me as a fighter, they get introduced to me as a family person, as a human being, my community, the type of person I am, the type of life I live,” he said.

Hominick has endless memories from his fighting career. (He laughs about the time he competed at a bar in Smalltown, U.S.A., where the fighters warmed up side-by-side in the kitchen. “There wasn’t a scale so we just kind of matched up by pointing and saying, ‘That guy looks about my size.’ “) But, for Hominick, nothing will top that April night in Toronto, when he went five rounds with Aldo. The result – a unanimous decision loss – didn’t much matter.

“I really got to show what kind of heart I have, what kind of talent, that I belong among the best,” he said.

Heading into UFC 154 last month against Pablo Garza, Hominick still felt like he could compete with the elite in the division, and never voiced any concerns otherwise. But after a fourth-straight loss dating back to the Aldo match, he felt it was time to have a serious talk with his wife, Ashley.

“You don’t want to say it, but maybe it was in the back of my mind,” he said about retirement thoughts leading up to UFC 154.

“As an athlete, you never want to go into anything with negative thoughts, with doubting anything. But I think I knew that if I wasn’t competing and winning in that fight, then I didn’t want to continue.”

The future will involve proud parenthood, as Hominick and Ashley raise daughter Raeya and the new baby. Hominick also owns and runs Adrenalin Training Centre in London, Ont., with teammates and close friends Sam Stout and Chris Horodecki.

“I’m looking at the next chapter of my life and I think that’s where my focus and energy needs to go. I’m starting to realize the sacrifices I could make when I had that five-fight winning streak and I got to the title (shot at UFC 129), I can’t make those same sacrifices to both my career and my family. Moving forward, that should be the focus right now.”

Despite ending his career on a losing streak, Hominick’s popularity never waned. While there will always be an attraction to Supermen like Jon Jones, Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre, fans felt they could relate to Hominick – the 150-pounder who always fought like someone twice that size, the proud husband, the loving father.

“I think it touched Canadians because I think I represented a lot of Canadians, who Canadians are, the identity. It hit home with them,” he said.

“It’s when you get behind someone and you really, truly get behind that person, not just what they do in the ring. I think when you genuinely follow someone because of who they are and what they do, I think there’s a definite attachment that we all share.”

“Over the last 11 years, I’ve followed my passion in the UFC,” he explained on UFC Tonight. “Now, I’ll say UFC 154 was my last fight in the Octagon as I’m retiring and moving on to next phase of my career. I have a young daughter at home and another on the way. I’ll always be involved in the sport. But I know the commitment I have to make. I have to make a commitment to this as I have to fighting in the past.”

“Losing him was a blow to all of us. But it actually motivated me to carry on in his name, tradition and legacy,” he said. “I want to do the same on the outside of the Octagon. I’ve reached a lot of my goals in my life. Now I want to carry on with my life and my family.”

“Right now I’m not rushing into anything. Mixed martial arts is my passion and it drives me every day. I’m taking a step away from Octagon, but not the sport. I’m sure I’ll find my way. The UFC has been one big family for me and I’ll always be a part of it.”

Recently the MMA world saw the return of B.J. Penn to the octagon at UFC on FOX 5 against Rory MacDonald.

“This is a true retirement,” Hominick emphasized. “With a daughter on way, I know the sacrifices I have to make. I was one of those fighters in cage who would lay it on the line. It’s an all-or-nothing kind of thing for me and I’m ready to move on.”

“I’d have to say fighting against Jose Aldo for the title. It put me on the map. I felt like I was competing in obscurity before that fight. I got to fight in front of 55,000 people in my home country and it really put me on the map in MMA world. I got to show people who I was as a fighter and a man.”

MONTREAL, CANADA – NOVEMBER 16: (L-R) Opponents Mark Hominick and Pablo Garza face off during the official UFC 154 weigh in at New City Gas on November 16, 2012 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Wiseman: Hominick did one thing that he said he would do and that was starting the fight with pressure. The problem is that Garza, after quickly recovering from being rocked in the first round was able to use his combinations and ground-and-pound to rearrange the face of Hominick. Both the second and third rounds consisted of Garza pounding the face of Hominick. Hominick wasn’t able to do anything off his back aside from one useful butterfly guard which only allowed him to stand for a second. Garza showed complete control throughout the fight and once again Hominick had his face messed up as he suffered his fourth consecutive loss. Is this the last time we see him in a UFC octagon?

Nick “The Promise” Ring vs. Constantinos “Costa” Philippou

Francis “Limitless” Carmont vs. Tom “Filthy” Lawlor

MONTREAL, CANADA – NOVEMBER 16: (L-R) Opponents Francis Carmont and Tom Lawlor face off during the official UFC 154 weigh in at New City Gas on November 16, 2012 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Wiseman: Carmont made Lawlor work for takedowns and was able to put together some combinations in the standup. Even though Lawlor was able to end rounds one and two in a submission position, Carmont was still able to land impressive ground-and-pound in the last seconds of both rounds. Lawlor having to work so hard for takedowns no doubt took his energy, so in the final round he wasn’t able to put the power behind his shots as he is known for. However, when a heavy hitter who lacks technique steps inside the octagon and can’t connect or score a takedown, they are often left wondering what to do next. Lawlor needs to gain a more unpredictable game.Martin “The Hitman” Kampmann vs Johny “Big Rigg” Hendricks

MONTREAL, CANADA – NOVEMBER 16: (L-R) Opponents Martin Kampmann and Johny Hendricks face off during the official UFC 154 weigh in at New City Gas on November 16, 2012 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Wiseman: When fighters step inside the octagon with their one-punch-knock-out power being what they lean on the most, it is often the cause of their downfall. Tonight was not that night for Hendricks. Kampmann clearly the more versatile fighter, but no matter who Hendricks hits with his power, they are going to go down. Kampmann needed to close the gap and more more laterally to stay away from Hendricks rushing in with his fists. Hendricks will continue to use this power until someone learns to close that gap quickly.

George “Rush” St. Pierre vs. Carlos “The Natural Born Killer” Condit

MONTREAL, CANADA – NOVEMBER 16: (L-R) Opponents Georges St-Pierre and Carlos Condit face off during the official UFC 154 weigh in at New City Gas on November 16, 2012 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Wiseman: The question of if GSP. would be rusty was answered tonight as he looked bigger then usual and was able to takedown as always. Condit did do damage after a random head kick connected, then Condit followed up with ground-and-pound. However, for the majority of the fight GSP was able to use his superior grappling to control Condit. Condit needed to be able to stuff some or any of the takedowns that George attempted. George may have been damaged tonight, which is more then what we’ve seen in awhile, but he still looked as dominant as always.

MONTREAL, CANADA – NOVEMBER 16: (L-R) Opponents Mark Hominick and Pablo Garza face off during the official UFC 154 weigh in at New City Gas on November 16, 2012 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Wiseman: Hominick is on a 3 fight losing streak and wasn’t great in his last fight. When his standup is on he’s amongst the best, but he hasn’t shown that side of him in awhile now. Garza is good off his back, tall and has good knees. His takedown defense is questionable, but with Hominick showing a constant downhill fall recently it’s questionable to pick him over almost anyone at this point. Garza can use his length to do some damage and if taken down he has the superior ground game, so this fight really is the break or make for Hominick.

MONTREAL, CANADA – NOVEMBER 16: (L-R) Nick Ring and Constantinos Philippou weigh in during the official UFC 154 weigh in at New City Gas on November 16, 2012 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Wiseman: Philippou has good defense, constantly improving with his takedown defense and heavy hands. Rings best chance as winning is via submission as Philippou can compete with his pretty closely in other areas of his fight game. Both fighters can set a good pace, but after tasting a few of Philippou’s punches Ring will want things to the mat. Once on the mat, it Ring’s world.

MONTREAL, CANADA – NOVEMBER 16: (L-R) Opponents Francis Carmont and Tom Lawlor face off during the official UFC 154 weigh in at New City Gas on November 16, 2012 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Wiseman: Carmont has good standup, powerful knees and is constantly improving. Lawlor is a strong wrestler, has improved in his standup which can be enough to keep Carmont working hard. However, the experience, diversity and pure hunger at this point goes to Carmont.

MONTREAL, CANADA – NOVEMBER 16: (L-R) Opponents Martin Kampmann and Johny Hendricks face off during the official UFC 154 weigh in at New City Gas on November 16, 2012 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Wiseman: This is going to be a tough fight. Kampmann is the more technical striker and Hendricks hasn’t had to fight that kind of a fighter. Hendricks is used to wrestlers, so going against Kampmann is going to pose a challenge. Kampmann tends to let things go further then they should when he is getting a beating. If he gets hit he tends to throw aside his technique and just turn things into a brawl. Kampmann, aside from his striking, also has a superior submission game.

MONTREAL, CANADA – NOVEMBER 16: (L-R) Opponents Georges St-Pierre and Carlos Condit face off during the official UFC 154 weigh in at New City Gas on November 16, 2012 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Wiseman: At last, the big question of GSP’s return will be answered as he takes on The Natural Born Killer. Condit is extremely tough, well-skilled in Muay Thai and hungry for this belt. Condit has mentioned that he has been training for this fight non-stop with GSP on the shelf for a year and a half,. If there was ever a time to take the welterweight belt it’s now. However, St-Pierre is a perfectionist and therefore wouldn’t get inside the cage if he didn’t feel he was capable. He has better takedowns and better submissions then Condit, but Condit is good with the scramble. GSP is going to be working for this win, but Condit